Portable shelter

ABSTRACT

A portable shelter is attachable to a receiver hitch of a vehicle. The portable shelter enables the user to use the base of the shelter as a cargo rack when the shelter is not being used as such. The cargo rack is used as the sub-base to the shelter. On top of the sub-base is a removable thermoformed plastic base having tent framing and one or more seats removably attached to it. Support legs are also provided at the sub-base. Each of the support legs is rotatable from the sub-base to ensure stability of the shelter and allow the shelter to stand by itself and without attachment to the vehicle. A framework is provided with telescoping members to allow the full frame of the shelter to be enclosed with a tent or other like covering, the covering intended to be a barrier against the elements.

This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. ProvisionalPat. No. 60/619,719 filed Oct. 18, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to items and accessories that are usedto protect persons from the elements during outdoor recreationalactivities. More particularly, it relates to a portable shelter that canbe used as an attachment to a motor vehicle or as a stand-alone item. Italso relates to a portable shelter that is particularly well-suited forice fishing, but is not limited to that activity, and is easy to set upand to disassemble in the field by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable shelters of the type that are used in the sport and recreationof ice fishing are often transported inside a vehicle or on the bed of apick-up truck. This can be a hindrance particularly where the anglerwants to move between several fishing spots. In such instances, theangler must repeatedly load and unload the shelter as he or she movesbetween those spots.

In the view of these inventors, what is needed is a portable shelterthat can be attached to the receiver hitch of a vehicle, thus making theshelter highly portable, or at least as movable as the vehicle that itis attached to is. The attachment means would need to accommodatereceiver hitches of current manufacture. Maximum utility of such ashelter would be realized if the shelter were able to also be used asintended when detached from the receiver hitch, thus making it astand-alone shelter as well. There are other types of shelters on themarket that attach directly to an all terrain vehicle (or ATV) or to asnowmobile, for example. In the view of these inventors, such sheltersare essentially vehicle-specific and are not easily adapted, if at all,for use with other vehicles. Moreover, they are not easily removed fromthe vehicles that they are intended to be used with.

What is also needed is a portable shelter that can also function as acargo rack for such vehicle when the shelter base is not being used aspart of a shelter. In order to accomplish this intended result, the baseof the shelter would be fitted with one or more removable seats, one foreach angler depending upon whether the shelter is a one-person ormultiple-person design. It would also be desirable to provide such ashelter that could be used alternatively as a hunting blind, atail-gating shelter, or a shelter for shore fishing in the summer. Thiswould enhance to versatility and useful applications for such a device.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newand useful portable shelter that is removably attachable to the receiverhitch of a vehicle, the attachment means accommodating hitches ofcurrent manufacture, thus making the shelter highly portable andversatile. It is another object of the present invention to provide sucha portable shelter that can also be used as a stand-alone shelter whenit is detached from the receiver hitch. It is yet another object of thepresent invention to provide such a portable shelter that utilizes ashelter base that can also function as a cargo rack for the vehicle whenthe base is not being used as a shelter. It is still another object ofthe present invention to provide such a shelter that can built as aone-person or as a two person shelter as required, the shelter basebeing fitted with one or more removable seats, one for each anglerdepending upon whether the shelter is a one-person or multiple-persondesign. It is yet another object of the present invention to providesuch a portable shelter that can also be used for camping, tail-gatingand any other activity where a portable shelter might be needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The portable shelter of the present invention has obtained theseobjects. It provides for a portable shelter that is attachable to areceiver hitch of a vehicle. The portable shelter enables the user touse the base of the shelter as a cargo rack when the shelter is notbeing used as such. The shelter is designed using a variation of a cargorack that fits into any standard receiver hitch found on a vehicle or anATV. The frame can be built to accommodate more than one user. The cargorack is used as the sub-base to the shelter. On top of the sub-base is aremovable thermoformed plastic base having tent framing and one or moreseats attached to it. The seat or seats may be removable if such isdesired or required.

Support legs are also provided at the sub-base. Each of the support legsis rotatable from the sub-base to ensure stability of the shelter. Thatis, the support legs are provided so that, when the shelter is attachedto the trailer receiver of the vehicle, torsional forces about thereceiver are prevented when unequal weights are applied to either sideof the base, such as might occur by a sitting person, for example. Thesupport legs are also provided to allow the shelter to stand by itselfand without attachment to the vehicle. Additionally, the support legsare height adjustable to allow for different height vehicles and forterrain variations. The portable shelter of the present invention canalso be easily adapted for use with an ATV.

The framework in the portable shelter of the present invention isprovided with telescoping members to allow the full frame of the shelterto be enclosed with a tent or other like covering, the covering intendedto be a barrier primarily against the elements, such as wind, rain orsnow.

To use the sub-base as a cargo carrier, bolts are removed from the baseand the base is lifted out of the sub-base together with the tentingframework all as one unit and all at one time. The portable shelter ofthe present invention can be used as an ice fishing shelter, a huntingblind, a tail-gating shelter or a shelter for shore fishing in thesummer. It can also be used for camping, tail-gating or any otheractivity where a portable shelter is needed.

The foregoing and other features of the present invention will beapparent from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front, top and left side perspective view of a one-personportable shelter that is constructed in accordance with the presentinvention and showing the shelter in its fully upright position.

FIG. 2 is a left side elevational and partially sectioned view of theshelter illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front, top and left side perspective view of a portableshelter shown in FIG. 1 and showing the shelter without a covering inplace.

FIG. 4 is a rear, top and right side perspective view of a portableshelter shown in its folded and fully upright position.

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the portable shelter shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear elvational view of the shelter shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is rear, top and left side perspective view of an alternativeembodiment of the portable shelter, shown as a two-person variation ofthe shelter illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a right side elevational and partially sectioned view of theshelter illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a rear, top and right side perspective view of the shelterillustrated in FIG. 7 and showing a portion of the covering removed.

FIG. 10 is a rear, top and right side perspective view of the shelterillustrated in FIG. 7 and showing the covering completely removed.

FIG. 11 is a rear, top and right side perspective view of the shelterillustrated in FIG. 7 and showing the shelter in its folded, but stillhorizontal, position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like numbers representlike elements throughout, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of oneembodiment of the portable shelter, generally identified 10, that isconstructed in accordance with the present invention. The shelter 10includes a covering 60. The covering 60 can be made of any type offabric that is used, for example, in the fabrication of tents and likestructures. The specific type of covering fabric is not a limitation ofthe present invention. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, but withoutthe covering 60 in place, the preferred embodiment of the portableshelter 10 includes a primary frame support member 20, the primary framesupport member supporting a sub-base 40. The primary frame supportmember 20 is rotatably attached to a generally U-shaped tongue pivot 26that allows the support member 20 to be movable from a generallyvertical position to a generally horizontal position. See also FIGS. 4,5 and 6. The tongue pivot 26 may use conventional means, such as a lockpin, to secure the support member 20 in either the horizontal or thevertical positions. The tongue pivot 26 is part of a secondary supportmember 22 that is bent and includes a generally horizontal portion 24that is configured to be received within a standard 2-inch receiverhitch (not shown), the receiver hitch being of the type that is securedto the rear of a vehicle (also not shown). The tongue pivot 26 and itsbent support member 22 create clearance for driving the vehicle and alsochange the weight distribution and the center of gravity of the shelter10. In the preferred embodiment, the primary frame support member 20,the tongue pivot 26 and the secondary support member 22 are made ofsteel, but such is not a limitation of the present invention.

When the sub-base 40 is in its generally horizontal position as shown inFIG. 3, stablilizer legs 54, 56 are provided. Each stabilizer leg 54, 56is rotatably attached to the sub-base 40 at generally U-shaped legsupport member 55, 57, respectively. The stabilizer legs 54, 56 can besecured in one of two positions by conventional means, such as alockable cotter pin or like device. The use of the stabilizer legs 54,56 in the fashion illustrated in FIG. 3 prevents torsional loads beingapplied to the primary frame support member 20 when weight is unevenlydistributed about the sub-base 40. It is also to be noted that thestabilizer legs 54, 56 are vertically-adjustable to allow for use of theshelter 10 with different height vehicles, and particularly vehicleshaving their receiver hitches mounted at different points above groundlevel. This adjustability allows the shelter to adjust to differentterrain contours as well.

The sub-base 40, in turn, supports a base 30, the base 30 beingremovably attachable to the sub-base 40. The base 30, in the preferredembodiment, is fabricated of a thermoformed plastic material. The base30 includes a seat-attachment point 32 that can be used to secured aseat (not shown) to the base 30. The base 30 also includes the elementsof a framework for the covering 60. More specifically, the base 30includes opposing tent frame mounts 34 disposed to either side of thebase 30. Rotatably and telescopingly attached to the tent frame mounts34 are several tent frame conduits 42, 44, 46. Each tent frame conduit42, 44, 46 is movable to a position where the covering 60 is supportedabout the conduits 42, 44, 46 when the conduits 42, 44, 46 arepositioned as shown in FIG. 3. Note that the conduits 42, 44, 46 arerotatable about the mounts 34 and are fully collapsible to the positionas shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, which show an overall illustration of theshelter 10 in a “transport” position.

As alluded to earlier, the shelter 10 of the present invention isintended to be a stand-alone shelter when such is desired or required.That is, the shelter 10 can be fully functional without attachment ofthe shelter 10 to a vehicle. For that purpose, a support leg 52 issecured to the secondary support member 22 at a generally U-shaped legsupport member 54. The support leg 52 is movable from a generallyhorizontal position to a generally vertical position as it would be inwhen used. See, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2. The support leg 52 is alsovariably height-adjustable, the purpose of which is to accommodatevehicles and receiver hitches having various heights above grade.

In the portable shelter 10 of the present invention, the base 30 isintended to be a removable item such that the sub-base 40 and itsattachment members 20, 22, 24, 26 can be used as a cargo carrier.Preferably, the base 30 is secured to the sub-base 40 by conventionalmeans, such as a plurality of bolts, the precise type of attachmentmeans not being a limitation of the invention. When lifted out from thesub-base 40, the base 30 and its framework members 34, 42, 44, 46 areremoved with it as one unit.

It is also to be understood that the portable shelter 10 of the presentinvention can be constructed for multiple-person use. Another embodimentof the portable shelter, generally identified 100, is illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 11, this shelter 100 being configured to accommodate twopersons. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the same attachment member 120 canbe used with the sub-base 140. Significantly different in thisembodiment is the fact that two bases 130 are mounted within thesub-base 140 in side-by-side relationship. This allows the base 30 ofthe one-person embodiment to be used with the two-person arrangement.Also noticeably different is the fact that the two-person embodimentincludes additional support legs 152, in addition to the stabilizer legs156, to provide greater stability and support to the shelter 100 when itis not attached to a vehicle. Another feature that is different is thelength of the framework conduit members 142, 144, 146, which is requiredto simply accommodate the greater span between their framework supportmembers 134. For the most part, the multiple-person embodiment issubstantially the same as the one-person embodiment described above.

An additional feature of either embodiment of portable shelter 10, 100is that the bottom side of the sub-base 40, 140, respectively, could beoutfitted with brake lights and directional lights (not shown) if suchare required, as where the brake lights and directional lights of thevehicle (also not shown) are blocked from the view of a followingvehicle during transport. Such lights would plug into standard trailerlight receptacles.

Based upon the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided anew and useful portable shelter that removably attachable to thereceiver hitch of a vehicle, the attachment means accommodating hitchesof current manufacture, thus making the shelter highly portable andversatile; that can also be used as a stand-alone shelter when it isdetached from the receiver hitch; that utilizes a shelter base that canalso function as a cargo rack for the vehicle when the base is not beingused as a shelter; that can built as a one-person or as a two personshelter as required, the shelter base being fitted with one or moreremovable seats, one for each angler depending upon whether the shelteris a one-person or multiple-person design; and that can also be used forcamping, tail-gating and any other activity where a portable sheltermight be needed.

1. A portable shelter which comprises a sub-base, means for removablyattaching the sub-base to the receiver hitch of a vehicle, at least onestabilizer leg, means for attaching the at least one stabilizer leg tothe sub-base, at least one support leg, means for attaching the at leastone support leg to the sub-base attachment means, a base, a frameworkfor supporting a covering, and a covering.
 2. The portable shelter ofclaim 1 wherein the sub-base attachment means comprises means forrotating the sub-base about the attachment means.
 3. The portableshelter of claim 2 wherein the sub-base attachment means comprises asupport member and the sub-base rotating means comprises a tongue pivotdisposed on the support member, wherein the sub-base is rotatablymovable from a generally horizontal position to a generally verticalposition.
 4. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the at least onesupport leg attachment means comprises a leg support member that isattached to the sub-base attachment means.
 5. The portable shelter ofclaim 4 wherein the leg support member is configured to allow rotationof the support leg about the leg support member, wherein the support legis movable from a generally horizontal position to a generally verticalposition.
 6. The portable shelter of claim 5 wherein the length of thesupport leg is adjustable.
 7. The portable shelter of claim 1 whereinthe at least one stabilizer leg attachment means comprises a stabilizerleg support member that is attached to the sub-base.
 8. The portableshelter of claim 7 wherein the stabilizer leg support member isconfigured to allow rotation of the stabilizer leg about the supportmember, wherein the stabilizer leg is movable from a generallyhorizontal position to a generally vertical position.
 9. The portableshelter of claim 8 wherein the length of the stabilizer leg isadjustable.
 10. The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the base is madeof a single piece of molded material.
 11. The portable shelter of claim1 wherein the base is removably attachable to the sub-base.
 12. Theportable shelter of claim 1 wherein the base is provided with means forreceiving at least one seat.
 13. The portable shelter of claim 1 whereinthe supporting framework for the covering is attached to the base. 14.The portable shelter of claim 1 wherein the supporting framework for thecovering includes a plurality of extensible framework conduit members,each of the conduit members being rotatably attachable to a frameworksupport member.
 15. The portable shelter of claim 1 further comprisingbrake light and directional light means attachable to the sub-base. 16.A portable shelter for recreational use which comprises a sub-base, saidsub-base including means for removably attaching the sub-base to thereceiver hitch of a vehicle, at least one stabilizing leg, said at leastone stabilizing leg including means for attaching the at least onestabilizing leg to the sub-base, at least one supporting leg, said atleast one supporting leg including means for attaching the at least onesupporting leg to the sub-base attachment means, a base, said baseincluding a framework for supporting a covering, said supportingframework including a plurality of extensible framework conduit members,each of the conduit members being rotatably attachable to a frameworksupport member, and a covering to shield occupants of the portableshelter from the elements, wherein the portable shelter can be used whenattached to the vehicle and can be used as a stand-alone shelter whendetached from the vehicle.
 17. The portable shelter of claim 16 whereinthe sub-base attachment means comprises means for rotating the sub-baseabout the attachment means and wherein the sub-base attachment meanscomprises a support member and the sub-base rotating means comprises agenerally U-shaped tongue pivot disposed on the support member, whereinthe sub-base is rotatably movable from a generally horizontal positionto a generally vertical position.
 18. The portable shelter of claim 16wherein the at least one supporting leg attachment means comprises agenerally U-shaped leg support member that is attached to the sub-baseattachment means and is configured to allow rotation of the supportingleg about the leg support member, wherein the supporting leg is movablefrom a generally horizontal position to a generally vertical positionand wherein the length of the supporting leg is adjustable.
 19. Theportable shelter of claim 16 wherein the at least one stabilizing legattachment means comprises a generally U-shaped stabilizing leg supportmember that is attached to the sub-base and the stabilizing leg supportmember is configured to allow rotation of the stabilizing leg about thesupport member, wherein the stabilizing leg is movable from a generallyhorizontal position to a generally vertical position and wherein thelength of the stabilizing leg is adjustable.
 20. The portable shelter ofclaim 16 wherein the base is removably attachable to the sub-base and isprovided with means for receiving at least one seat.